R v Kameta

In the High Court of New Zealand, Hamilton Registry, the case of The King v Manutaki Heemi Kameta was heard and sentenced on 28 April 2023. Mr Kameta pleaded guilty to charges of causing riotous damage, arson, and assault with a weapon, stemming from a riot at Waikeria Prison on 29 December 2020. The legal issues included determining the appropriate starting point for sentencing, considering any aggravating and mitigating factors, and deciding on the applicability of a minimum term of imprisonment.

The Court adopted a starting point of eight years and four months imprisonment, taking into account Mr Kameta's role in the riot, which was less significant than that of the leaders but still involved considerable risk to other prisoners. The Court applied a 25% discount for guilty pleas, amounting to two years and one month. Additionally, the Court allowed a further discount of one year, or 12%, for mitigating factors such as Mr Kameta's difficult upbringing, lack of education, and his efforts towards rehabilitation. This resulted in a total discount of three years and one month, reducing the sentence to five years and three months imprisonment. The Court did not impose a minimum term of imprisonment, finding that Mr Kameta was not an instigator or a major participant in the riot.

The final orders were that Mr Kameta be sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment on the charges of causing riotous damage and arson, and to three years imprisonment on the charge of assault with a weapon, with all sentences to be served concurrently. The effective sentence was five years and three months imprisonment. Additionally, the Court made an order suppressing the remarks from publication until the trial of Mr Kameta's co-defendants concluded.